Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Pat Walthers, Janet Shipko

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44754918

Weather: Sunny with clear skies, just a few thin clouds, and breezy: 8-10 mph winds with gusts up to 18.  High 50s at 10 rising to high 60s by early afternoon.  If you were used to these temperatures you'd say this was perfect cycling weather.  We were just getting used to them, so it was windbreakers and tights all day for us.

AMS: 12.9

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: When we were last here a month ago (Sept 21) they were repaving Nottingham Rd.  Today's route was all about experiencing all that freshly repaved smoothness.  We went down Martin, left on Molly Berry and took Candy Hill to Croom, Croom over to Brooks Church and Tanyard to the start of Nottingham; then followed it all the way to its and at Croom.  We then went left on Croom and left on Candy Hill, and left again taking Nottingham a second time to Fenno.

Fenno to Merkle and a rest stop, and the usual route on St Thomas Church to Croom, right on Mount Calvert, no dogs today (whew!), right on Duvall to a freshly repaved Croom Airport -- well, at least from Park Entrance Rd to Croom, but that's OK because from Park Entrance Rd down to the Pavilion was in fine shape and didn't need repaving.

After our break at the Pavilion we enjoyed being able to ride Croom Airport without a single bump, patch or pothole.  Here's a hearty Thank You for that!   From that point on, a fairly standard return on Duley Station with a bit of Bellefield, Cheltenham to Old Indian, down Van Brady to Molly Berry, North Keys back to the park.

We finished a couple of minutes after 2, having ridden 37.6 miles and climbed 1,986 feet.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:   Joan Oppel, Randy Schoch, Pat Walthers, Harry Kidd

Route:   starting at Pisgah Park, we traversed Mason Springs, Bowie, Baptist Church, Ironsides, and MD-6 took us to a bio stop at King James Church.  Continuing via Hancock Run, Adams Willett, and Liverpool Point to a rest stop at the Nanjemoy store.  Next let utilized Jacksontown, Sandy Point, Riverside, and Chicamuxen to another bio stop at Smallwood Park.  Final return featured Marbury Run, Pisgah Marbury, and Mason Springs back to the park.   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44716810  35.7 miles, 1457' elevation gain.

Weather:   cloudy/overcast to start, becoming mostly cloudy with some sun/blue skies at Smallwood Park; temp range 54-63; 7-9 mph air movement from the NW

AMS:   swept in the low 11s; riders at the front slightly faster

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  the route was developed to afford plenty of cycling on less vehicular trafficked roads and that was truly the case.  Bowie, Baptist Church, Hancock Run, Adams Willett, Liverpool Point, Jacksontown, Sandy Point, and Pisgah Marbury were almost vehicle free.  The other roads had very little traffic, too.

The big fun part of the ride was being greeted by four turkeys (two Toms, two hens) as we came up to the Nanjemoy store.  They took a serious liking to Joan and stayed close to her side during our rest stop at the store.  The Toms were in full display; the hens showing them almost complete indifference.  They live at the house just east of the store and their appearance is evidently not uncommon as we were told they would hang around until the owner came to shoo them back home.

Leader: Joan Oppel

Riders: Ron Altemus, Dave Van Ameyden, Linda Bankerd, Harold Datz, Walt Roscello, Randy Schoch, Pat Walthers, Rita Zeidner

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44740215  From the firehouse at Accokeek to Pomfret,  to a nice stretch on the trail, to a climb up Mt Pisgah, then to Pisgah (off route to Pisgah Park) and from there to Bicknell and eventually Hawthorne and Lower Wharf to Chapman's Landing. Climb up Barry's HIll and end at the firehouse.

Weather:  Slightly chilly at ride start and everyone wore a jacket. Wind from the north at 12-14 mph. Ride leader's Garmin had a steady temperature of 55 throughout the ride. Ron's device said 61 near the end.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: A mix of sun and clouds today, a number of miles with the wind at our backs, a number of miles on tree-sheltered roads - as well as several segments where we got familiar wih the wind. The oficial rest stop was at the Pisgah Store but everyone preferred Pisgah Park so off route went. Walt split off to do 5 additional miles and the rest of us cruised back to the firehouse. 

Leader - Randy Schoch

Members -  Mark Garrison, Susan Altemus, Donaro Gardner, Leesha Saunders, Oswald Martin, and RL Randy .   (not pictured:  Ron Altemus, photog)

Route - IHRT

Weather - Wonderful, sunny 60's, with light breeze.

AMS - Varied per/rider

Mechanicals/Mishaps - Mark had a tangled chain before the start.

Report - A good turnout of our regulars. Ron, Mark, and I managed to straighten out Mark's chain before the ride start and he had no more trouble for the rest of the ride. There were quite a few other trail users this morning. Even though the temp. was a little chilly at the start we saw several dogs walking their masters, kids in strollers, bikers, and walkers. A nice brisk ride and a short rest break at the White Plains Rest Area. We had a tail breeze on the return leg back to the parking lot. Jackie is recuperating from her heart surgery and not able to ride for awhile.  

Leader: Joan Oppel

Riders: Lisa Petersen, Rick Hagen, Janet Shipko, Pat Walthers

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44690756  We headed to La Plata by way of Rose Hill, Chapel Point, Fairground, Springtown Newton and Glen Albin. Return was on Quailwood, Hawthorne, Marshall Corner, Pomfret, IHRT, more Hawthorne and Chapman's Landing.

Weather:  Absolutely beautiful. Sunny 56 at start and felt just a little bit chilly. Sunny 65 at the end.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: A thoroughly enjoyable ride. Sun, beautiful cloud formations, mostly quiet roads (though some busy spots to connect the quiet). Chapel Point has been repaved (lots of that going on in many counties - infratructure funding?) but not the hill leading to St. Ignatius. Some of us climbed that for the first time.

Leader: Dave VanAmeyden

Members: Mark Garrison, Tamika Walker, and Justine Kayle

Guests: Alex Batkhan and Christine Buzzell from PPTC

Route: Started in Arlington, went north through Rossyln, up to McLean, then south through Falls Church and Springfield, then northeast around Lake Barcroft and back to Arlington, stopping 3 miles from end at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church for their bi-annual festival.

Weather: Chilly at the start in the 50's then warmed up to the low 70's by mid-day. 

AMS: Leader and one other rider went 11, others went 13-15+.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None!

Report: Was expecting a bigger turnout, given the closeness of the start to where many members live and the good weather. At least four riders rode from their homes. Three riders said they were "B" class and waited for the others to catch up at cue points until the half-way point, then they took off.  Two riders took a slower pace and ended just before 2PM.          

On a raining and windy fall Saturday morning at the Richmond Virginia Train Station, Oxon Hill Bike and Trail Club (OHBTC) members  Alan Kurzweil, Janet Shipko, Linda Bankerd, Sherwood Byers, Sr. (Ride Leader), Ron Altemus (Taking Photograph), Alec and Makenzie Villiva, and Gene Villiva,  joined me on a tour to Williamsburg and Surrey Virginia via Virginia's Capital Trail and the Jamestown - Scotland ferry.

After a short briefing, all were on the pedals to the trail head for a group photo. The rain was beginning to be steady and all knew we would be wet.  All was okay as the temperature was warming a bit.  Riding to Varina the regrouping point and the only stop for a while where you could make any purchases.  Continuing  on, a stop was made at the next trail head parking lot where there was a pear tree and some were gathered. I had already know about the tree and wanted some (They are very delicious).  Not wanting to spend a lot of time there because the rain was coming down pretty good and knowing the predicted weather and change of our heading, riding conditions would change about the time we would stop for lunch and the Indian Fields restaurant.  After Lunch the weather was as forecast, the sun was coming out and the breeze was on on our backs making the ride even more pleasurable.

Continuing on our trek to Williamsburg we crossed the Chickahominy Riverfront Park to regroup and rest.  With only about 12 miles to our hotels we had to move off the trail to roads where there were bike lanes and an easy ride. Some of us after a short rest met in the hotel breakfast room to eat before retiring.

On Day 2, Sunday there were varying plans by all.  Some relaxed in Williamsburg, some toured by their self, and some rode the ferry for the tour and lunch in Surrey.  But, for those who toured Surrey enjoyed the ride to the ferry then riding to Chippokes State Park to tour the history of the past.  After the tour we went to Meats of Virginia for a delicious lunch before returning to the ferry.  After returning to our rooms and freshening ourselves all met the Plaza Azteca for a group dinner.

More To Come...

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Gene Villiva, Robin Garnett, Susan Altemus, Fran Jezisek, Randy Schoch.  Not pictured:  Donaro Gardner, Mark Garrison



Route:   Indian Head Rail Trail, Livingston Rd parking lot to White Plains and return

Weather:  mostly overcast with temps hovering in the low 70s and air movement out of the south

AMS:  varies by rider but most probably in the upper 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:   not as big a turnout as usual since some club members are recuperating.  Only a fair number of other trail users, though we did see Bob Moye (always going in the opposite direction).  Rutting season has commenced so deer sightings are more common; otherwise, not much wildlife observed except a box turtle next to the trail.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:   Pat Walthers, Randy Schoch, Rick Hagen, Steve Palincsar, Joan Oppel, Lisa Petersen, Jane & Jim Hundall, Gene Villiva.  Not pictured:  Anonymous User



Route:   Regular Tour de Accokeek routing to Bryan's Road and then exploration of the South Hampton and Timber Ridge subdivisions prior to the hair raising descent of Marshall Hall Road.  An out and back on Fenwick including the subdivision that never was built on Amber prior to a rest stop at Marshall Hall Landing.  Return featured an second out and back on River Rd (with another subdivision never built on Chester),  before resuming the standard TdeA with the ascent of Barry's Hill.  After summiting, a short excursion left on Old Marshall Hall Road skirting Moyaone Reserve before retracing and returning to the start.

 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44628163 33 miles 771' elevation change. 

Weather:  a very nice early September day transplanted to early October.  Sunshine, blue skies, temps rising from the mid 70s to mid 80s, some air movement out of the northern quadrant.

AMS:  swept in the mid 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   Pat took a slow motion tumble into the grass - fortunately, only her pride was seriously hurt.

Report:   A nice turnout to visit some additional neighborhoods in the Bryans Road area along the Tour de Accokeek route.  Lisa and Rick were newcomers to the TdeA area while several other long time club members had never ventured down Fenwick and River.  The subdivisions being built on the "top side" are in stark contrast to the two on the river plain that never progressed beyond paved roads.

Large segments of the ride were mostly vehicle free allowing for casual conversational cycling which is always enjoyable.  Wildlife sightings were minimal except for a number of black vultures overhead on Mathews.

Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Catherine Ade, Rick Hagen, Joan Oppel, Lisa Petersen, Tom Short and Patricia Walthers.

Guests: Joining us at the first rest stop and riding with us until we reached their driveway were members Sue Henn and Eric Nielsen.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44607553  32.8 miles, 1434' elevation gain

Weather: Sunny without a cloud in the sky.  Mid-70s at the start rising to 82, with a 7 mph breeze from the NE that grew to 13 mph by the time we finished.

AMS: 13.3

Mechanicals/Mishaps: As one would expect on a first ride on a brand new bike, Pat had a few issues getting her shifting and power assist levels working, but other than that the ride was incident free.

Report: This was meant as a recovery ride for those on yesterday's Charles & St Marys Century and a return to riding for Pat, on her new Orbea Gain that she's been awaiting for 17 months.  Rick and Lisa did the 50, while Joan Catherine and I did the 75 (Tom had signed up but canceled). 

It was a beautiful day and we saw several groups of riders on Sands and on Sudley and Owensville Sudley -- not surprising, since these are fabulous cycling roads.  We were delighted to have Sue and Eric join us at the rest stop at South County Rec Center.  They rode with us to the South County Cafe where we stopped for lunch, then stayed with us until we reached their driveway. 

Although we were mostly on familiar roads we've ridden many times this year, this route (based on one of Debby Bowman's Waysons in Winter routes) took us in the opposite direction to our usual and as a result everything looked quite different.

It was great riding with Pat again, even if just for a brief interval before she goes on the sidelines again, recovering from upcoming knee surgery.